flagger Posted October 11, 2007 #1 Share Posted October 11, 2007 I just filled out and responded to an email survey from Disney Cruise Line. It asked about wanted destinations which included Hawaii, Canada, Northern Europe, Southern Caribbean, South America and Trans Pacific. It also asked if I would not book a cruise on DCL if there was a casino and if a casino would enhance my experience. We have yet to take our first DCL cruise so it was interesting getting this survey and it makes me wonder if they are checking interest or disinterest in a casino on board. I am all in favor of a casino and picked South America as my most preferred destination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom x4,grandma x4 Posted October 12, 2007 #2 Share Posted October 12, 2007 That is very interesting. I wonder how many others have got one of these surveys?? mom x4,grandma x4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lagbunch8 Posted October 12, 2007 #3 Share Posted October 12, 2007 No survey here but, I would vote no on the casino and yes to new ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP3o Posted October 12, 2007 #4 Share Posted October 12, 2007 I don't like walking past the smoky casinos on other ships. I might like to gamble and watch friends a little but I'm smoked out. If DCL went with the first ever smoke free casino, I would be more pro-casino. Just make a convenient exit nearby that has access to an outside smoking area for the smokers. Not trying to take away any of the spaces provided for smokers but, maybe, the addition of a casino doesn't have to also be a designated smoking area. They don't really HAVE to go hand in hand although I think DCL line would be the first if they went that route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildBeth Posted October 12, 2007 #5 Share Posted October 12, 2007 I'd vote NO on a casino. I don't think children need to be exposed to gambling. If someone wants to gamble, go on another cruise line and leave the family atmosphere to Disney. I think Disney has done an excellent job of accommodating everyone who sails with them despite their age. The have very nicely accommodated smokers without subjecting non-smokers to second hand smoke. They do something to deodorize the piano bar (is it Sessions?) during the day because I was in there for a couple of events and there was no hint of smoke which was pleasant to find out. There is a lot for adults to do without having to gamble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricializ Posted October 14, 2007 #6 Share Posted October 14, 2007 I didn't think a casino on board was a big deal until I talked about it with my husband last night. He brought up a few good points. People can get really caught up in gambling. MOST people on the Disney ships have children with them which will be left alone until the wee hours of the night if parents gamble late. Also, I remember on the other ships we have cruised that my teen son was in the arcade and several drunken gamblers (close proximity) came stumbling on into the arcade bugging them, wanting to play games with them etc. You didn't even want to be on that deck after the casino got rolling. So, being that it is a family cruiseline, I think it's probably best to keep it off. My initial response that it was fine was probably just my memory of winning the slot machine jackpot on a Carnival cruise. LOL Tricia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildBeth Posted October 15, 2007 #7 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I just remembered something a cast member told me when I went on a tour. A Disney cast member has to submit to drug and alcohol testing at anytime. They are not allowed to have more than the equivalent of 1-1/2 beers even when they are off duty because it is the cast members responsibility to get the guests off the ships safely in an emergency. The entertainers are often the head of a life boat which holds 150 people. They said that on some other cruise lines, he didn't name the lines, that the crews are not under the same restrictions. They can drink, gamble and fraternize with the guests whenever they are off duty or it doesn't interfere with their duties. With all Disney cast members have to do I can't imagine when they have time to do anything but eat and sleep when they are off duty. Sometimes on other lines the social crew, the entertainers, etc. are actually encouraged to "party" or "laugh it up" with the guests so they are "happy" including sharing alcoholic drinks with them.:( I am certainly going to be carefully investigating the rules and practices of other cruise lines than Disney. I can guarantee you the last thing I want to be around is a drunk crew member, and even if they don't have the same life boat duties as on the Disney ships, they still are in uniform and seen to be "in charge" if there is an emergency. If they were drinking thier ability to handle an emergency would be impaired.:( I can't imagine that a cruise line would allow drunk guests to enter an area set aside primarily for youth and to harrass them like that.:mad: If the drunks on the ship impede my enjoyment of any area of the ship, including the decks, then all I am paying for is being stuck in my cabin to avoid being harrassed or made to feel uncomfortable.:mad: I'm certainly not paying my hard earned dollars for that! This was my frist cruise and coming here to Cruise Critic is giving me valuable information I need to consider before I choose to cruise with anyone other than Disney. The only reason I would consider another cruise line is because they would go to ports that I want to go to, but Disney doesn't go there. I much prefer to save up and pay a bit more for nice cruise on Disney where there is a fun, family atmosphere even if I am a single adult! I'll be staying away from casino ships that's for sure! I hope Disney reads these boards and finds out that most people do NOT want a casino on board their ships. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserbryce Posted October 15, 2007 #8 Share Posted October 15, 2007 looks like attempts at figuring out where their new ships might benefit them the best and what additions they can make to appeal to a larger market Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted October 15, 2007 #9 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Isn't it a bit late in the game to be considering a casino? I'd think that it's either included in the new plans or it's not. I would prefer Disney stay family oriented and not install casinos in their ships. But we all know what a revenue stream these casinos are. Perhaps the survey will show that a majority of respondents either would like or wouldn't mind having a casino onboard ... thus giving DCL some ammunition when they announce that the new ships will have them. Or not. I have no clue. Is it possible that DCL will open its niche a little bit and offer casinos on the new ships? They could retain the Magic and Wonder just as they are, but appeal to a broader market by expanding their onboard offerings. These ships could also offer itineraries longer than a week, thus appealing to more cruisers without children. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP3o Posted October 15, 2007 #10 Share Posted October 15, 2007 looks like attempts at figuring out where their new ships might benefit them the best and what additions they can make to appeal to a larger market This is a good point, especially in conjunction with longer cruises. DCL might not want passengers to exclude a Disney cruise from consideration just because of the lack of a casino. I mostly don't like the smoky atmosphere and how the kids have to walk right by all the smoke on some other lines. If DCL were to do it w/o smoking and in a location where gamblers could find it but everyone doesn't have to walk by it like they are trying to entice you to enter, it might be fine. I think most DCL passengers could control themselves when it comes to neglecting the family to gamble. I know of a SAHM who is a Disney freak so will probably get the family on a 3 or 4 night someday but her DH isn't really for it. There is no way he'd spend the money on a 7 night on a ship w/o a casino. He has a decent argument; if going to spend that kind of money, he wants to know he has access to something he enjoys on cruises, especially on a longer one. He also points to RCL increased attention to the kids and says the kids will have fun; the family vacation dollars don't have to be only about where the kids will have the most fun, he earns the money. Anyway, we don't really gamble and looked at it as a plus DCL doesn't have a casino, more room for kid play areas. But, on a larger ship with room for both, I can see why they might want to consider a casino. I'm confident that DCL, if they chose to do it, could pull it off in such a way that is still very family friendly. I don't see DCL prices ever going so low as to attract the group that is primarily there to drink and gamble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Mick Posted October 16, 2007 #11 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Isn't it a bit late in the game to be considering a casino? I'd think that it's either included in the new plans or it's not. I would prefer Disney stay family oriented and not install casinos in their ships. But we all know what a revenue stream these casinos are. Perhaps the survey will show that a majority of respondents either would like or wouldn't mind having a casino onboard ... thus giving DCL some ammunition when they announce that the new ships will have them. Or not. I have no clue. Is it possible that DCL will open its niche a little bit and offer casinos on the new ships? They could retain the Magic and Wonder just as they are, but appeal to a broader market by expanding their onboard offerings. These ships could also offer itineraries longer than a week, thus appealing to more cruisers without children. Just a thought. They would be able to change a casino space to something else quickly if they changed their mind. They would end-up with another club with lots of electrical outlets in the floor. Also, for revenue purposes, Disney doesn't need casinos, they have gift shops. Disney fans are nutso about Disney merchandise. Can any other cruise line say that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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